Lazy Days Skirt

It all started as a quickly bought yard of fabric from Walmart to ease a hurried shopping experience.  The fabric came home, only to be carried around lovingly for the next few hours, and then transformed into a lazy days skirt.  There was twirling, and dancing, and joy.  There was counting of Tinkerbells and claiming that, "The yellow ribbon really is sooo beautiful."  And then, as she walked by the window there was a moment of pure, sweet, jilly reflection. 

Zach in football

Zach loves to play football, but last night he got crunched.  I wish I had a picture of the giant who Zach tackled by the ankles, only to get tumbled on.  It was painful to watch.  I think the fourth grader was 5'8, 160.  It just isn't right.

Just because

Just because I love this picture and the little one in it.

More b-day

All of the kids either made Casey a gift or offered to do one of his chores for the week.
Jill got us all laughing as she chased Casey down to give him one awesome birthday kiss.

Casey is six

Casey loves his birthday more than anyone else I know. At home, he has been counting down since the beginning of the summer. His teacher told me that as the rest of the class counts up on the calendar, Casey has been counting down to his birthday. His request for cake: chocolate cake, chocolate frosting, chocolate ice cream, and star wars guys on top.
I love this guy so much. Casey possesses so much goodness and kindness. He is just nice. He is patient as things around him are chaotic. He is willing to sit and wait (and play with his toys) until things calm down. He is a peacemaker with his brothers and sisters and they all love to have him on their team. He is one of Anna's favorite people and is an expert on what he calls "baby control." He doesn't have very many demands and he sees joy in simple things. He really makes my life much easier. So, Happy Birthday to you, Casey! You are one special six year old.

Springfield Zoo on Labor Day

It was a tad bit hot and everyone was a little sweaty, but we had a great time strolling through the zoo. Favorites were the mountain lion, the spider monkeys, and feeding the goats.

Starting to make sense

Ozark phrases and mishaps such as
1. We was . . .
2. We done did that.
3. I'm fixin to . . .
4. I don't care to (which means they want to)
5. A sign on another rural school door that reads, "For the safety of our students, this door must remained locked."
6. The rally towels Ron ordered to be given away at high school games came back reading, "The Medcine Chest."
7. Sam's math teacher being replaced by last year's janitor
8. Referring to Walmart as, "The Walmarts."
9. ketched, throwed, drawed, runned, and rid for rode
10. The swings is . . .

are all starting to make sense as we drive through towns called Gepp, pronounced Jeep, and Gamaliel, pronounced Guh*mail*yuh. Sometimes it is like fingernails on a chalkboard. It hit an all time low the other day when Zach's coach had the boys on the line and said, "We were . . . " and then shook his head and said, "We was . . .." Classic. My seventh grade English teacher would be in grammer error heaven here in the heart of the Ozarks.

side by side

two look-alike sisters side by side
but, will she have curly hair?

Jill's first day of gym

Absolute LOVE is the only way to describe it. We dug out the old hello kitty gym outfit and, after a few pictures, away we went. Miss Veda is our new favorite.

Anna at 6 months

Yesterday was Anna's six month birthday. Can't believe it. I really wanted pictures, so between the craziness, I snapped a few of her adorned in an overused onesie and a
small snot war going on. But, the face it still sweet. We love having her cruise around, following the chaos into the kitchen, and squeezing herself through the corner of the couches. You are really special around here if she will give you a smoosh on your cheek and if you can get her giggling. Love her so much.

A little chuckle

I got a little chuckle when Casey pulled this out of his backpack.
My favorite - most definitely the scared face.